The Little League fields at Handy Park in the City of Orange will be transformed into the Community Foundation of Orange’s Field of Valor from Saturday,, November 10th through Saturday, November 17th; it is an event in the City of Orange, for the entire Southern California community and beyond.

1776 3’x5’ American flags will blanket the entire park’s field honoring and proudly recognizing those who are currently serving in the military, those who have served, and those who paid the ultimate price, by giving their lives in service to our country. CFO will be raising money for local Veterans and active duty military & their families through sponsorships and sales of individual flags for $35. Each flag that is sponsored will have a tribute card attached that includes the serviceman/woman’s military information and any medals earned, some including valiant stories that were shared.

​Susie Cunningham, CFO’s Executive Director has seen every single tribute come in and cannot help but be touched. "We are so overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for this event, not only by those who are submitting tributes to our military personnel, but by the number of volunteers willing to make the event a success. Every day we get calls from veterans, or family members, asking how they can help, whether it's to help set up the flags, or provide overnight security. We have had amazing support from The Home Depot-East Orange, who stepped up in a big way with their associates volunteering. We have been planning this event for the greater part of a year, and as we get closer, it has even more meaning. I am humbled by each tribute that is submitted, and have an even greater appreciation for the sacrifices made by those who have worked to protect our freedom."

Many volunteers will come together on the morning of November 10th to precisely mark the field and then begin driving rebar into the ground, placing the flags onto the posts and tying the tribute cards onto the flags with ribbon –red, whit and blue for those who are currently serving; yellow for those who have served; purple for those who have earned the Purple Heart Medal; blue for those who have earned the Medal of Honor; and black for those who sacrificed their lives in service to our country. The Field of Valor will be open to the public from 10:00 am – 8:00 pm Sunday, November 11th through Saturday, November 17th. Opening Ceremonies will take place at 3:15 pm on Saturday, Nov. 10th and there will be a brief flag-lowering ceremony each evening at 4:45 pm. Local photographer,

​CFO President and Field of Valor Committee Chairman Gary Remland cannot wait to see everything come together at Handy Park. “The timing of this event is critical in that it’s Veteran’s Day on the 11th. Many in this community and in this country, are of the same belief that we need to recognize and thank those who have served and are presently serving in our armed forces for our freedom. Many have paid the ultimate price for our freedom—we cannot, and we will not forget them. I would ask you to come and see this beautiful tribute to their bravery and sacrifice. This event is pulling our community together to honor and celebrate all that is great about America. Please come and be a part of it, and let’s honor our Veterans by giving generously to those who support and take care of them.”

Individual 3’x5’ flags (made in the U.S.A.) are $35; they can be purchased and tributes completed online - Click HERE - or at the event.

Handy Park is located at 2143 E. Oakmont Ave in Orange and can be reached from the Chapman Avenue or Katella Avenue exits off the 55 Freeway. ​Those interested in becoming involved with the Field of Valor by becoming a sponsor or volunteer can contact Susie Cunningham, CFO Executive Director via email: susie@communityfoundationoforange.org

Sunday, October 26th, the Home Depot at Tustin and Taft in the City of Orange closed its doors at the end of the workday and then immediately opened them up again to their associates-turned-volunteers as well as volunteers from the Community Foundation of Orange. Assembly lines were set up to prepare the 1776 flags for the Field of Valor that will be held November 8th – 11th at Handy Park in Orange. The two groups worked together that night cutting re-bar, drilling holes in pipe, then attaching flag toppers and the 3’x5’ flags, preparing them for the tribute cards - tied on with yellow, black, blue and/or purple ribbons - each with significance for the serviceman/woman being honored or remembered. Not just an event for those in the City of Orange, the Field of Valor committee hopes that this event will touch the hearts and lives of citizens throughout all of Orange County and other parts of Southern California. Flags have been purchased from those living in neighboring cities, with tributes being made to Veterans across the country and more orders coming in daily.

​“When we started this endeavor of the Field of Valor, we needed to find business partners and members of the community to help us with this effort. We made contact with the Home Depot at Tustin and Taft in Orange, as the company has a history of supporting Veteran causes all over the country. This store was no exception; from the moment that we started the discussion with store manager Keith Allen and Assistant Manager Patricia Lattanzio, Home Depot was all in!” says Community Foundation of Orange President Gary Remland. “Home Depot has offered to help with materials, staffing and setting the field; they have been amazing with their enthusiasm and commitment to this event.” Allen concurred, “Home Depot is proud to support the Community Foundation of Orange in honoring those who serve through their Field of Valor. In addition to supporting the Field of Valor, we continue to be deeply involved in the placement and support of our Veterans through our ‘Celebration of Service’ program, which runs from 9/10 to 11/11 every year. Team Depot has contributed over $80 million in the last five years in projects to improve the physical surroundings and self-esteem of our brave Veterans. The 1000s of volunteer hours worked by our associates, many of whom are themselves Veterans, on these projects are appreciated by the Veterans served as well as our associates.”

​“We hope this is the beginning of a great partnership with Home Depot in serving together here in Orange,” voiced Remland. “I can’t say thank you enough for their commitment to this project as well as to the other individuals and businesses who have partnered with CFO in sponsoring the Field of Valor. This is exciting!” Fellow major sponsors Catherine Sorensen, Ashley Furniture Home Stores, Remland Insurance, Milan Capital Management, The RJ Noble Company, and Selman Chevrolet join the Home Depot in helping the Community Foundation of Orange make this Inaugural Field of Valor one the committee believes will be a pride-filled, patriotic event that will continue for years to come.From November 8th – 11th Handy Park (2143 E. Oakmont Ave, Orange) will be transformed into a sea of 1776 American flags, raising money for local active duty Military and their families, and Veterans, while honoring and proudly recognizing those who are currently serving in the military, those who have served, and those who paid the ultimate price, by giving their lives in service to our country.

​Individual 3’x5’ flags (made in the U.S.A.) are $35; they can be purchased and tributes completed online at the Field of Valor page

​Those interested in becoming involved with the Field of Valor by becoming a sponsor or volunteer can contact Susie Cunningham, CFO Executive Director via email: susie@communityfoundationoforange.org